Battling Australia topple South Africa in Rugby Championship

Australian players pose with the Mandela Plate after winning the Rugby Championship match against South Africa at Adelaide Oval on 27 August, in Adelaide – AFP

ADELAIDE, AFP: Coach Dave Rennie paid tribute to his forwards Saturday after the Wallabies shattered South Africa’s hopes of snapping a nine-year winless streak on Australian soil with a bruising 25-17 Rugby Championship win in Adelaide.

The home team took a 10-3 lead into the break, soaking up huge pressure, before piling on 15 points in the second half to once more deny the Springboks, who have not tasted victory in Australia since 2013, now spanning eight Tests.

They have another chance next week in Sydney. Two tries from Fraser McReight and one by the outstanding Marika Koroibete helped seal victory for Australia who bounced back from a shock 48-17 thumping by Argentina in San Juan this month.

The win gave Rennie breathing space after a stuttering year, overseeing three wins and three defeats in their build-up to next year’s World Cup.

The last time South Africa won against the Wallabies in Australia was a 38-12 victory in Brisbane nine years ago.